Lazarowicz: Green technology must be at the heart of economic strategy

Mark Lazarowicz MP is calling on the UK and Scottish Governments to realise fully the potential of the green economy to create skilled, long-term jobs at the same time as tackling climate change and fuel poverty.

In a wide ranging essay for the Scottish Fabian Society, the North and Leith MP says the green economy could draw on existing industrial strengths, pointing to local examples in Edinburgh as well as elsewhere in Scotland.

Mark Lazarowicz (pictured above) said: “The financial crisis graphically illustrated the need to rebalance the Scottish and UK economies and we should place the green economy at the heart of our economic strategy.

“For instance, energy to heat your home should not be a luxury and energy efficiency is one of the most important ways to tackle fuel poverty in the long term as well as climate change.

“Green technology also has the potential to be a major export sector, not just in large-scale manufacture of say, wind turbines, but also of the parts required and project design where Scotland already has a wealth of expertise.

“It’s much more than a niche industry: with new rules on recycling and targets for cutting carbon emissions we have to green our economy and Scotland should be leading not lagging behind.”

The MP’s article appears in a new collection of essays by Scottish Labour MPs setting out policy alternatives for a new future for Scotland. It can be found at

http://www.scottishfabians.org.uk/publications/

Letter: Attacks on quality of life must be resisted

Dear Editor

In the past, many things were struggled for to enhance the quality of life. National Parks, Green Belts, local parks, sports fields, libraries, museums, rights of way, etc, etc.

Recent times have seen all of the things mentioned above – and more – threatened, closed, built on, sold to developers. Added to that, laws are shamefully being passed enabling this to continue.

Very many thousands of people are worried and are resisting, despite their incomes and employment being under pressure, and it is vital that this resistance is greatly increased.

Local ideas and schemes must be pursued and developed and local authorities must assist their communities in enhancing the quality of life now and for the future.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Park life: Windrush Drive goes green

A site previously earmarked for a new primary school on Edinburgh’s waterfront has been transformed into temporary community parkland thanks to a £50,000 investment.

The Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and Edinburgh City Council have supplied funding, enabling the derelict two-hectare site on Windrush Drive, Western Harbour in Leith to be turned into temporary green space. This will be available for community use until such time as plans to build the primary school are confirmed at some point in the future.

What was an unsightly area last year has now been transformed – new top soil, trees, grassland and a wildflower meadow have been created to improve the local landscape for both local residents and the new community to enjoy.

Councillor Adam McVey, who helped spearhead the project, said: “Greening such a large site in Western Harbour has already improved the amenity for local residents and made it more likely new residential developments will be brought forward on neighbouring gap sites. The cooperation between the groups involved and consultation with local residents has made this one of the most effective projects of this kind and it can, and should, be replicated throughout Edinburgh.”

The greening initiative has been made possible by Port of Leith Housing Association temporary leasing the site from Forth Ports and taking on future maintenance, with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust carrying out initial landscaping and sourcing funding.

Port of Leith Housing Association Chief Executive Keith Anderson said: “For many residents, seeing the derelict land day in and day out was becoming an eyesore. By transforming it into an area they can use and enjoy can make a real difference to their lives.”

Charlie Cumming, Project Manager at Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, said: “Windrush Drive is the third temporary greening site undertaken by ELGT with CSGN funding in recent years. Other sites were located in Craigmillar and Granton and each of them has brought stalled development areas into positive management and accessible greenspaces for local people.”

Blooming marvellous! The end’s in sight – in a roundabout way

Agenda DTCC Mtg. 27th November 2013

Groathill Roundabout Planting

Drylaw Telford Community Council’s final meeting of the year takes place next Wednesday. The meeting could also see an end to one of the organisation’s longest-running sagas – the Groathill Road North roundabout.

The state of the roundabout has been making some local residents cross almost since the railings were removed there three years ago. Neighbourhood Partnership funding was allocated to Drylaw’s gardening group to undertake environmental improvements on the site, but a catalogue of problems with successive subcontractors has seen the roundabout become an untidy eyesore.

Drylaw Telford CC’s chair Alex Dale has had a series of meetings with North’s Environmental Manager Steven Cuthill to resolve the long-running issue, and a proposal to transform the troubled roundabout will be tabled at next week’s meeting.

Alex Dale said: “Steven produced the proposal at Inverleith Neighbourhood partnership’s last Clean, Green & Safe meeting and explained that this is a proposal and is still being costed. Steven will be attending our community council meeting on the 27th to discuss this proposal or listen to any other ideas the community would like to take forward instead.

“We have the choice to accept this or offer Steven an alternative plan. It will all be up for discussion on the night and if we can agree on something then it should bring the long ongoing saga to a conclusion!”

So there you have it – if the proposal is accepted Groathill Road roundabout will have ‘complete ground cover during summer within two seasons’ – blooming marvellous!

The meeting takes place in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday 27 November at 7pm. All welcome.

Council unveils winter weather plans

The City of Edinburgh Council has announced plans for how the city will cope with potentially severe weather this winter.

Be Prepared for Winter will also provide up-to-date information to residents through targeted advertising in the print and broadcast media, supported with comprehensive information on the Council’s website plus leaflets and posters.

Salt stocks of 16,000 tonnes have been stockpiled at the Council’s four depots, and the city’s 2,200 salt bins will be refilled on a programmed basis. This amount is more than is required to last an entire winter season.

The city’s roads will be gritted according to which category they fall under: Priority 1 roads are main and essential routes that are pre-treated when frost or snow is forecast and receive priority treatment during snow. Traffic Regulations Orders will be enforced on certain roads this winter to allow better access for gritters, emergency vehicles and buses, where parking has caused obstruction in the past.

Residential roads fall under the Priority 2 category, and will be treated when there is a severe weather event after Priority 1 routes are clear.

High priority pavements will be treated 24 hours a day, seven days a week in times of bad weather. The North Edinburgh Cycle network and the Innocent Railway cycle route have been classed with high priority pavement routes for the second year in a row.

The Council website will be regularly updated throughout the winter and includes gritting routes, salt bins, a video encouraging residents to clear snow and ice, and information about becoming a volunteer snow warden.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Although last winter was milder than the 2009/10 and 2010/11, it is important that we continue to be vigilant in preparing for whatever this winter throws at us. In 2010/11 we experienced some of the worst conditions in almost half a century and our chief priority if this happens again is to keep the city moving.

“Our Be Prepared for Winter campaign will use our website and social and local media to alert residents about plans for the next day, such as gritting, waste collection services and schools. We’ve also got maps on our website showing gritting routes and salt bin locations throughout the winter. There are more than enough stocks of salt and grit, and the fleet of specialist snow clearing vehicles is ready to go.”

The Council’s campaign follows the launch of similar winter campaigns by the

Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

Do Not Adjust Your Set

Drylaw sees the big picture

Drylaw now has it’s own public big TV screen. The high-tech equipment was installed last night and community leaders believe the big screen will attract new visitors to the area.

A spokesman for Drylaw Telford Community Council said: “Although it’s not as large as we were promised we accept that money is tight and are delighted that the council has agreed to locate a big screen in Drylaw. Drylaw has really needed this for a long time – we don’t think it’s right that the city centre gets everything, Edinburgh is more than Princes Street, the Bridges and Lothian Road. Now local people will be able to gather together in their own community to watch major sporting events and Strictly Come Dancing – it will help generate a new community spirit and will become a talking point, a bit like the Angel of the North. I’m convinced tourists will flock to Drylaw.”

A council spokesperson said: “The City of Edinburgh Council is often accused of wasting council tax payers money on expensive vanity projects like education and roads. This exciting initiative clearly demonstrates that this council is listening to communities.”

EDRA action to target Drylaw dog fouling

EDRA (Easter Drylaw Residents Association) members, supported by Environmental Wardens, are planning two Days of Action to tackle dog fouling in our local area. We will be handing out leaflets and speaking to as many people as possible.

Anyone who would like to come along & support this initiative are very welcome – see details below:

Friday 23 August:

10am – Noon: In & around Drylaw Shopping Centre; meet at 10am outside the Key Store.

2pm – 4pm: In and around the Green Space at ED Gardens.

Monday 26 August:

10am-Noon: Morning Walkabout – meet at 10am Easter Drylaw Way/Bank.

2pm – 4pm: In and around Easter Drylaw Park. Meet beside the CEC notice board at the Park/Easter Drylaw Drive.

Mhairi Curran, Easter Drylaw Residents Association

Week of action to tackle road litter

A call to clean up and clamp down on litter on Scotland’s roads has been issued for Scotland’s first Litter Week of Action.

Organised by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Transport Litter Group, the annual day of action has been extended to a week of dedicated action to tackle litter on our roads and railways.

Commuters, employers, and transport providers and support agencies are all being encouraged to get involved from 19– 25 August.

A recent litter audit has revealed that an average of seven bottles and cans can be found on every 100 metres of Scotland’s roads, creating a hazard to road users and wildlife, and costs millions to remove.

Supporters of the Week can help to raise awareness of the negative impact and cost of transport litter. Actions available range from something simple such as adding a web banner to your website or displaying a poster in your workplace; to organising activities such as a day of awareness raising activities or targeted enforcement.

Organisations including BEAR Scotland, Scotland TranServ, Transport Scotland, McDonald’s and various local authorities have already committed to taking part in the Week.

The week of action follows the launch of a new consultation from the Scottish Government which intends to bring forward a final National Litter Strategy – the first since devolution – early in 2014. The “Towards a Litter Free Scotland” consultation will run until 27 September.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It is shocking that on average there are four plastic bottles and three drinks cans littered on every 100 metres of our major roads in Scotland. It’s a blight, contributes to punctures and can cause accidents not to mention the fact that clearing it from our road and rail sides is a hazardous task.

“Littering is unacceptable – and in the Year of Natural Scotland and as we approach 2014 when we welcome the world to Scotland, it’s important that we show our country at its best. We have set out action to tackle Scotland’s litter problem in our National Litter Strategy consultation and are asking people to have their say on this during the summer.

“This Litter Week of Action is a great opportunity to highlight this issue and I’d encourage people to work together by taking action during the week so that we can show that littering is not tolerated here.”

Iain Gulland, Director, Zero Waste Scotland said: “2014 is set to be an important year for Scotland, with events including the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and Homecoming, and as such it’s vital that we take steps to rid the country of its litter problem and show it off at its absolute best.

“Litter on the road and in transport hubs doesn’t just look bad, it’s also a waste of valuable resources. Commonly littered items like drinks bottles and cans could be recycled and help to boost the economy.

“I would urge everyone to get involved in this great week of planned activity and help to spread the message that throwing litter from vehicles or public transport is not acceptable.”

To get involved, visit

http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/Transport-Litter-Week-of-Action.

Innertube map goes green

Edinburgh’s unique Innertube map is now celebrating the launch of its third version – the Greenspaces edition.

This green map highlights the many parks and green spaces that are easily accessible by bike or on foot using Edinburgh’s amazing network of off-street paths, made up of old railway lines, canal towpath, the Water of Leith walkway, coastal promenades, routes through parks or on dedicated segregated paths. As well as linking to parks and open spaces, most of the paths themselves go through woodland, parkland or by the sea at Silverknowes and Portobello.

The map has been created on behalf of the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) in partnership with The Bike Station, by Mark Sydenham, the originator of the Innertube map concept. The map is part of the wider Innertube map project, a campaign to improve and promote Edinburgh’s 75km of traffic-free off-road paths, characterised by a London Underground style map. This latest Greenspaces edition of the map highlights 54 of the city’s 145 parks, which have easy or close access to the path network, and is designed to encourage Edinburgh residents and visitors to use the routes to walk and cycle to green destinations throughout the City, rather than taking the car.

The Innertubemap project was established thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Trust, a grant giving body funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who funded this edition, and continues with a wide range of environmental improvement work along the routes, community volunteering sessions and guided activities, which are publicised on the project’s blog at http://innertubemap.com.

“We’re excited to be launching a green edition of the Innertube map and hope that it will inspire people throughout the city to take to the paths and explore the wealth of green networks, paths and open spaces that Edinburgh has to offer,” said Liz Stewart, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust.

The map has been designed as an attractive, pocket-sized A7 format, which folds out to show the A3 map on one side, with useful information about environmental organisations on the reverse. The map will be distributed to libraries, community centres, businesses and other organisations over the summer and anyone wishing supplies should contact info@elgt.org.uk.

The Innertube map project continues throughout this year, thanks to further funding from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage, supporting environmental improvement and community activity work delivered by the ELGT, with a programme of free community events and activities, all of which celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.

The Greenspaces edition of the Edinburgh Innertube map, is the third edition of the map since its launch in 2011. This edition follows the publication by The Bike Station of the student edition, funded by SESTRANS and Edinburgh’s universities and colleges, and the first edition, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The map, designed by the Hillside Agency, has already made a big impact, with over 80,000 copies distributed to date.

Good causes to benefit from carrier bag levy

The Scottish government will introduce a 5p levy on plastic bags from October 2014. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the charge should reduce bag use in Scotland and raise £5m a year for good causes.

Mr Lochhead said: “Discarded carrier bags highlight our throwaway society. We use more carrier bags per head in Scotland than any other part of the UK and this is unsustainable. They are a highly visible aspect of litter and we are taking decisive action to decrease their number. By reducing the amount being carelessly discarded we can cut litter and its impact on our environment and economy. A small charge should also encourage us all to stop and think about what we discard and what can be re-used. This charge is not a tax but will see retailers donating the proceeds to charity – this could be up to £5m per year after retailers have covered their costs.”

Iain Gulland, the director of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We can all reduce the impact of carrier bags by making sure that when we must take one, we re-use it over and over again as many times as possible and then recycle it at the end of its life.”

Retailers have expressed concerns over the introduction of the charge, however.

A CBI Scotland spokesman said: “Modest economic growth coupled with a continuing shift to internet shopping is making conditions challenging for the high street, which is already feeling the ill-effects of the Scottish government’s £95m retail rates surcharge and its £36m rates levy on empty shops and other premises. The plans for costly additional red tape in the form of an environmental levy on carrier bags, after significant success recently in reducing the use of plastic bags by voluntary means, will only make a difficult situation even tougher for retail businesses.”

The Scottish Retail Consortium says that carrier bag use has already fallen by 40% and there is a need to concentrate on bigger issues. SRC Director Fiona Moriarty said: “The Scottish government has decided that it wants further and faster reductions and the only way it can achieve this is through legislation.

“However, it is our view that if we focus solely on plastic bags we are in danger of being distracted from much larger and more important issues around waste. The SRC will be working with the Scottish government to ensure that the legislation is proportionate and as far as possible consistent across the UK to avoid confusion for customers and businesses.”